Okra Stew With Lamb ( Bamia )

This Okra stew with lamb is a flavorful dish that makes you want to cozy up on a cold winter day. If you have never had okra, this is an excellent dish to help you ease your way into it. Okra is a seed with a slimy texture when cooked, but this okra stew is not as slimy and has a milder taste. 

Recently, I decided to make two different dishes made with okra. The first one is this traditional Middle Eastern stew with lamb, tomatoes, and lots of garlic and spices. My husband loves eating okra this way and was thrilled that I was making it. The other dish is sauteed okra with garlic chili sauce. I cut the okra into smaller pieces and sauteed them with onion to make that dish. Once they were done cooking, I added a hot chili sauce made with lots of garlic, cumin, coriander seeds, hot pepper, and fresh cilantro. Both dishes were divine. There is simply nothing more to say! I hope you try these two okra recipes and start incorporating the tasty vegetables into your cooking! 

Okra Stew Ingredients

• Lamb Shoulder (cut into small pieces): Tender and flavorful lamb, perfect for a hearty stew.
• Okra (trimmed, washed, pat dry): Fresh and crisp, adding a unique texture to the stew.
• Fresh Tomato Sauce or Two Cans of Tomato Sauce: Rich and tomatoey, forming the stew’s base.
• Tomato Base (dissolved with 1 1/2 cups warm water): Adds liquid and intensifies the tomato flavor.
• Garlic (minced and sliced ): Pungent and savory, enhancing the stew’s aroma and taste.
• Jalapeno (diced, optional): Provides a hint of heat for those who enjoy spice.
• Sweet Onion (chopped): Adds sweetness and depth to the stew.
• Spice Blend (Turmeric, Cumin, Allspice, Salt, Black Pepper): Creates a warm, savory, and well-balanced flavor profile.
• Olive Oil (1/4 cup plus 4 tablespoons more): Infuses richness into the stew.
• Fresh Cilantro (chopped fine): Adds freshness to the finished dish.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Citrusy brightness that elevates the overall flavor.
• Flour: Coating the okra before frying, creating a crispier coat.

This Okra Stew combines the richness of lamb, the unique texture of okra, and a flavorful blend of spices for a comforting and satisfying dish. Adding fresh cilantro and lemon juice at the end enhances the stew’s freshness and depth of flavor.

What Is Bamia?

Bamia is an okra stew made with onions, garlic, tomato sauce, okra, and lamb. The word bamia means okra in Arabic. This stew is traditionally made in The Middle East, Armenian, Afgan, and Turkey, and each country has a slightly different dish variation. Most countries eat bamia with lamb or beef; however, it can also be served as a vegetarian dish. In Egypt, bamia is made with lamb tendons since it holds up well with long cooking times. t. 

How to Make Okra Less Slimy?

Okra is naturally slimy in texture but less slimy when cooked whole. Once the okra is cut, it releases the sliminess, making the stew slimier. Bamia is not as slimy as other okra dishes since it is slow-cooked. This allows the okra to become soft and tender rather than slimy.